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| Billy Ray Deiz Signs to Blue Pie Billy Ray is truly "old school" having grown up and first recorded during the early rock years in the 50s and 60s. He was a founding member of The Seven Souls, a legendary Los Angeles band that opened for the Righteous Brothers, James Brown and Mel Torme during its heyday, recorded on the same record label as Sly Stone, and was well-known throughout the US and Europe. The band's guitar player Bob Welch went on to fame with Fleetwood Mac. He's been a TV and radio personality for most of his career: in Los Angeles, San Francisco and his home town of Portland, Oregon, USA. In Los Angeles, he created a very popular feature segment for KCBS TV news that offered exclusive behind-the-scenes peeks into the music business. "For the Record" profiled Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Loretta Lynn, Helen Reddy, Henry Mancini, Sergio Mendes, Quincy Jones and Lawrence Welk along with the Temptations and the Supremes, during its run; and helped fuel Billy Ray's desire to make his own music. He's even sung a duet with Neil Sedaka on Los Angeles TV, and joined Bob Dylan as a backup singer on a Leonard Cohen track. And now—in 2011 - he's finally stepping out on his own, with The Nashville Tracks, a 10-song collection that features some of the best musicians in the world playing Billy Ray's original compositions ranging from Soul-satisfying R&B to Country, Blues and Rock 'n Roll! You'll hear The Billy Ray Big Band, on his classic, "Rather Have Sooner", with a James Brown groove and a "can't sit still" feel; on "Daddy's Comin' Home" he is a true "Blues Brother", and wait until you catch the stellar guitar lead by George Marinelli, Bonnie Raitt's guitar player. It's as if the entire Bonnie Raitt band were backing Billy Ray in a live performance. You can thank producer Cliff Goldmacher for assembling some of Nashville's greatest players for these soul-stirring sessions. So come along for the ride. These are some great songs, with fine production and a message of hope: keep on pushin' and your day will surely come. Enjoy! Blue Pie are truly honoured to have such a great talent on the label. Watch out world coz we have some REAL cool sounds coming your way. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Jazz News :: home page |